It’s just a matter of time, perhaps a week or two, until Bill Northey, the Iowa state agriculture secretary, is nominated for a senior post at the USDA, said Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley. Since spring, rumors have tabbed Northey as the likely nominee for undersecretary for farm production and conservation, overseeing farm subsidies and land stewardship programs.
“It’s just the red tape of doing every step you have to,” said Grassley, referring to the background and conflict-of-interest reviews of potential federal officials, when asked about Northey’s status. “He is in the last stages, the last step of that process, and I would imagine that in a week or two, the president will be asked to sign off on it.” Grassley discussed the situation during a weekly teleconference with ag reporters.
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue lamented in June that background checks were moving slowly on half a dozen candidates for senior USDA posts. Since July 13, three nominations have been announced: Steve Censky for deputy secretary, Ted McKinney for undersecretary for trade, and Sam Clovis for undersecretary for research. The undersecretary posts require Senate confirmation.